Influence of alimentary factors on the absorption of feed nutrients and poultry productivity

The article is a summary of the literature on the main aspects of the modern bird feeding system. Theoretical aspects and results of experimental research of scientists on the substantiation of parameters of protein and amino acid nutrition are given, which is an important factor that, under appropriate conditions can significantly guarantee the realization of the genetic potential of corresponding breeds and crosses of poultry. It is shown that an important aspect of protein nutrition is the ratio of feed amino acids. Their negative interaction can be caused by a deficiency of one or more amino acids, an imbalance between them, antagonism, and toxicity. This is accompanied by effects on various physiological and biochemical processes, significantly affects appetite, intestinal absorption, renal reabsorption and transport of amino acids, their catabolism, rate of protein decomposition, synthesis, and formation of toxic metabolic products. The data show that the required level of energy for the bird's body is provided by carbohydrates (mainly of plant origin) and lipids (fat supplements of various origins). It is noted that lipids promote the absorption, transport, and deposition of fat-soluble vitamins. The effectiveness of using fat supplements as energy depends on their source. At the same time, among the indispensable nutrients that have a significant impact on growth intensity, reproductive quality, poultry productivity, and biological value of products, an important role is played by macro-and micronutrients. Many researchers emphasize that along with the use of traditional feeds in poultry feeding, the possibilities of non-traditional cereals rich in protein and lipids are not fully used. A limiting factor in their use is the presence in their composition of anti-nutrients contained in many feeds. Once in the digestive tract of animals, they negatively affect the absorption of feed nutrients. In most cases, the consumption of such feed by animals is manifested in growth retardation, increased feed consumption, hormonal effects, and, less frequently, in the dysfunction of certain organs.

Using Microalgae as a Sustainable Feed Resource to Enhance Quality and Nutritional Value of Pork and Poultry Meat

Cereal grains and soybean meal are the main feedstuffs used in swine and poultry feeding, two of the most consumed meats and of key relevance to food security worldwide. Such crops are grown mostly in North and South America and transported over large distances creating sustainability concerns and, furthermore, are in direct competition with human nutrition. Alternatives to these ingredients are, thus, a pressing need to ensure the sustainability of swine and poultry production. Microalgae seem to be a viable alternative due to their interesting nutritional composition. The use of different microalgae in monogastric feeding has been addressed by different researchers over the last decade, particularly their use as a supplement, whilst their use as a feed ingredient has been comparatively less studied. In addition, the high production costs of microalgae are a barrier and prevent higher dietary inclusion. Studies on the effect of microalgae on meat quality refer mostly to fatty acid composition, using these either as a functional ingredient or as a feedstuff. Within such a context and in line with such a rationale, in this review we address the current research on the topic of the use of microalgae in poultry and swine nutrition, particularly aspects concerning pork and poultry meat quality and nutritional traits.

β-Mannanase Supplementation as an Eco-Friendly Feed Strategy to Reduce the Environmental Impacts of Pig and Poultry Feeding Programs

Little is still known about the environmental impacts of exogenous enzyme supplementation in pig and poultry feeding programs. Thus, this study aimed to assess the potential environmental impacts of producing feeds for pigs and broilers by simulating the effects of β-mannanase Hemicell™ HT supplementation through energy savings during diet formulation. Life-cycle assessment standards were applied to simulate a cradle-to-feed mill gate scope. The functional units used were the production of 1 kg of the enzyme and 1 kg of feed at a feed mill gate located in Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Climate change, eutrophication, and acidification were the chosen environmental impact categories. Energy savings through β-mannanase supplementation were assessed by different metabolizable energy (ME) matrices (45 or 90 kcal of ME/kg of feed) during diet formulation in different grain production scenarios (Southern and/or Central-West origin). A total of 28 feeds were formulated based on the nutritional requirements and feeding programs described in the Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine. The least-cost formulation method was used based on real price averages practiced in a local industry over 12 months. The production of 1 kg of β-mannanase was associated with the emission of 1,800 g of CO2-eq, 4.53 g of PO4-eq, and 7.89 g of SO2-eq. For pig feeds, β-mannanase supplementation mitigated both climate change and eutrophication impacts up to 8.5 and 1.4% (45 kcal of ME/kg of feed) or up to 16.2 and 2.7% (90 kcal of ME/kg of feed) compared to control diets formulated without the enzyme. For broiler feeds, these impacts were mitigated up to 5.6 and 1.1% (45 kcal of ME/kg of feed), respectively. On the other hand, the effect of using β-mannanase on the acidification impact was not consistent among feeds/species. Overall, β-mannanase supplementation reduced the amount of soybean oil in feed formulas, which is associated with high environmental impacts. Consequently, the potential impacts of climate change and eutrophication associated with producing feeds for pigs and broilers were substantially mitigated. These results suggest that β-mannanase supplementation is an eco-friendly feed strategy to reduce the environmental impacts of pig and poultry feeding programs.

Laying hens behave as omnivores with poultry meal included in their diet

This study was conducted to determine egg yield performance and quality, animal partiality to poultry meal, and consumer preferences for eggs produced by various feeding methods. A total of 72 Nick Brown laying hens, aged 22 weeks, were offered three feeding methods with 24 replicates per treatment and one hen per experimental unit. These methods consisted of i) vegetarian (no poultry meal), ii) omnivorous (5% poultry meal), and iii) a choice between vegetarian and omnivorous. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The study lasted for 10 weeks. Feeding methods did not affect feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg yield, and egg quality. However, they affected the malondialdehyde (MDA) value of eggs on the 42nd day of storage significantly (P <0.05). The highest MDA value was obtained from the eggs of ‘omnivorous’ hens. More hens (51.4%) in the choice group preferred omnivorous feed to ‘vegetarian’. Panellists found organoleptic differences among sample eggs from hens subjected to various feeding methods. They reported that the eggs obtained from vegetarian hens were preferable. The conclusions were that i) no feeding method changed egg yield performance and quality, ii) omnivorous feeding shortened the shelf-life of eggs, iii) hens with a choice of feed did not reject the omnivorous diet, but increased their intake, and iv) the panellists disliked eggs from the omnivorous hens. Finally, these preferences should be considered in legislation for poultry feeding and animal husbandry.

Amino acids in compound feed when rearing replacement young quails

In the technology of production of quail eggs it is important to prepare the replacement young quails for egg laying since the timing of the beginning and duration of the productive period, the level of egg production, and the quality of eggs depend on it. A prerequisite for obtaining high productivity of laying quails in the future is a complete feeding during the rearing period. One solution to this problem is the use of synthetic amino acids in poultry feeding, which increase the biological value of the feed protein to meet the poultry’s protein needs. The results of research on the use of compound feed with an increased content of amino acids (lysine and methionine with cystine) by 15 and 20 % in the nutritional content of replacement young quails of Omskaya breed of meat and egg productivity have been presented in the article. It has been found that the use of experimental compound feed contributed to the increase in the live weight of quails of the experimental groups by 3,94 and 2,97 %, the decrease in the average daily feed consumption by 11,21 and 7,56 %, and expenditures of compound feed for 1 kg of gain by 14,54 and 8,31 %. The higher content of amino acids has increased the yield of effective young quails in the experimental groups by 4,09 and 7,07 %. It has been found in the result of carrying out anatomical cutting of carcasses that feeding quails with experimental compound feed had a stimulating effect on the development of egg-forming organs. The calculation of the economic efficiency of rearing replacement young quails has shown that the use of compound feed with the increase in amino acids by 15 and 20 % in compound feed reduced the expenditures of their rearing by 8,04 and 5,28 % and the prime-cost of one replacement female quail by 12,86 and 11,63 %.

Impact of Selected Feed Additives in Broiler Nutrition on Breeding and the Meat Quality Features

The aim of the study was to overview the results of scientific research on the impact of feed additives used in broiler nutrition on breeding and meat quality. Selected additives used in feeding broilers with immunomodulatory properties, prebiotics and probiotics, herbs and herbal extracts and protein additives were characterised. The application of insects in poultry feeding as a good source of proteins and fat as a substitute of expensive feed rich in proteins was presented. Further research is needed on their nutritional value, levels of incorporation into diets and the performance of this feed ingredient. However, there are many challenges that need to be overcome by adoptingsuitable strategies to produce antibiotic-free broiler meat with regards to food safety and chickenwelfare issues. The additives available on the market should be used in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations and the grace period should be observed in order to obtain the expected production results and a high-quality product.

Features of the influence of oat extract on the antioxidant activity of goose liver

The use of antioxidants in poultry feeding helps to relieve stress of various etiologies. Natural antioxidants have a number of advantages over synthetic ones. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Avena sativa oat extract on the peculiarities of the functioning of the antioxidant system of goose liver during the physiological stress of contour and juvenile feather formation (from the 14th to the 56th day). The state of the antioxidant system in liver tissues was determined by the coefficient of antioxidant activity, the content of the final products of lipoperoxidation, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of fat-soluble vitamins. The results of the experiment showed that the goslings of the control group during the formation of contour feathers have a decrease in antioxidant activity of the liver by 2.36 times, and juvenile — 1.90 times compared to the initial value of this indicator. Adding oat extract to the diet of geese during feather formation increases the antioxidant activity of their liver. Under the influence of the extract, the physiological stress associated with the formation of contour feathers (28 days) is significantly reduced by reducing the content of the main substrate of lipoperoxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, despite the decrease in the activity of all antioxidant enzymes. Increasing antioxidant activity in the liver during the formation of juvenile feathers is due to the inclusion of alternative mechanisms of antioxidant protection, implemented by increasing the activity of endogenous antioxidants: superoxide dismutase by 29.6 (P≤0.05), catalase by 34.6% (P≤0.05), glutathioperoxidase by 41.2% (P≤0.01), and the content of vitamin E by 32.7% (P≤0.05) and β-carotene by 30.9% (P≤0,05). Under the influence of the extract there is not only a significant increase in the weight of geese at the end of the experiment, but also an improvement in their pterylographic performance. Therefore, in the future, it would be advisable to conduct similar studies on wild bird species in kennels, as the process of feather formation is of fundamental importance for these birds.